Mark Hacala

Mark T. Hacala served 30 years in uniform, retiring as a Master Chief Hospital Corpsman, and has continued with 12 years of civilian Navy service. He served in combat with the Marines in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983 and continued with Marine infantry units for 13 years. Since 2000, he has spoken to over 10,000 Sailors on naval history subjects, including guest lectures at the Naval Academy, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. A graduate of the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in history, he is a prolific writer with dozens of articles in various military publications to his credit. For ten years, he served as Director of History and Education for the U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation, where he designed historical exhibits of graphics and artifacts, as well as educational programs. Since 2009, he has served as ceremonies specialist and drillmaster for the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard in Washington, DC.